Tag: Appin

[Admin Team] But he knew he was there for a reason, and that he could make a difference, so he kept going, one step at a time.

“When I got there I learnt so much about our sovereign people and what we’ve been fighting for,”

This article in The Saturday Paper is one of our favourites!

Day 346: 7.30pm

Day 346: 8.30am

Good morning guys it a beautiful day today.

Day 346: 1.30pm

[Admin Toby] Over the course of Clinton’s Walk, his Uncle Herbert Bropho has kept in contact by often sending me video’s and – as im sure you have seen – the many memes and images blended into works of art. He surprised Clinton and the crew by joining them in Sydney for the final length to Canberra, sporting one of the supporter shirts. He has never given up advocating for rights, his nephews cause, speaking at rallies such as the nation wide ‘Justice for Elijah’ protests, and local issues such as Wadjemup (Rottnest Island), the case of Matagarup and homelessness.

In a defiant plea, Uncle Herbert also sits at the gates of his former Swan Valley community every Monday since being closed by the WA State Government in 2003. Its people were immediately disposessed and made homeless after 11 houses were demolished in the dawn with no notice of eviction given to the families.

With the demolition of community infrastructure at Oombulgurri
and Barnetts intention of further community closures, the situation of homelessness rose to media attention again in 2016 following a 3rd raid to confiscate personal belongings on Hieresson Island by police and City of Perth officials. Although registered as a sacred site, an Injunction lodged by Bella Bropho was unsuccessful at the time that Clinton set out accross the country on foot.

Here is a video of Matagarup or Hieresson Island that Uncle Herbert shared with me a few weeks ago that I hadn’t seen and its honesty struck me. Featured in New Zealand it was free of media bias and its images presented the fact that not much has changed in the approach of governments to the realities of First Nations People.

Matagarup – a place of Aboriginal cultural significance – was called a refugee camp for valid reasons.

Day 346: 3pm

Day 346: 3pm

Day 346: 3pm

Day 346: 3.30pm

Day 346: 4pm

[Admin Lisa] Are you planning on joining the walk ?? If you are, then you need to read this.

What you need to bring :

You will be responsible for your own food, camping gear, water, money and any other costs incurred while walking.

We would love you to bring your commitment, your sense of humour and your deepest respects for what Clinton has achieved in the last year and how important this last final part of his walk is.

We want to keep the fires burning, so if you are coming to the Aboriginal Tent Embassy please bring some wood to donate, funds for yourself and a sense of unity and purpose.

We want to use this opportunity to remind people that Clinton is THE ONLY spokesperson for his Walk for Justice .

We will not tolerate any unsociable behaviours, drugs and alcohol are not appropriate or acceptable and you will be asked to leave if any of these basic courteous rules are not followed.

Everyone is welcome to join in but it is up to you to work out where, when and how.

There are buses available for people who may be having a tough day or just want an easier day, the buses can also be used to store your camping gear on during the day so that you are free to walk.

Please label all your possessions.

An Event Page will be created that we will share and ask you to join. This will be where we post updates about where Clinton and the team are at and this will also be the place where walkers will need to check in to for any important announcements.

The Admin Team are flying over to join you all next week and we want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your help and support in getting us over there. It is really appreciated and we couldn’t have done any of this without you !!

[Admin Toby] This time last year was the 50th Anniversary of the Wave Hill walk-off, which is commemorated every year by a festival at Kalkaringji and Daguragu. This video clip captures the parade on the path of the walk-off, concert and fireworks to a live edit of ‘From Little Things, Big Things Grow’.

On the 23rd of August Vincent Lingiari led the workers and families to walk off Wave Hill station and begin their seven-year strike. Initially, a strike against work and living conditions, it soon became a long campaign for the return of thier most sacred lands.

In 1967, Gurindji petitioned the Governor-General, claiming 1,295 km² of land near Wave Hill. Their claim was rejected. While Dagaragu would eventually become the first cattle station to be owned and managed by an Aboriginal community, today known as the Murramulla Gurindji Company, it took many years before the Gurindji achieved this.

In 1969 the Liberal-National CountryCoalition government was given a proposal to give eight square kilometres back to the Gurindji. Cabinet refused even to discuss the issue.

In support of the walk-off there were demonstrations and arrests in southern Australia and many church, student and trade union groups gave practical and fundraising support to the Gurindji struggle.

Vincent Lingiari, Billy Bunter Jampijinpa and others toured Australia, with the support of workers’ unions, to give talks, raise awareness, build support for their cause and have meetings with major lawyers and politicians. Frank Hardy recalled at a fundraising meeting, a donor gave $500 after hearing Vincent Lingiari speak. The donor – who said he had never before met an Aboriginal person – was a young Dr Fred Hollows the eye surgeon.

Hardy also records Pincher Manguari as saying:

“We want them Vestey mob all go away from here. Wave Hill Aboriginal people bin called Gurindji. We bin here long time before them Vestey mob. This is our country, all this bin Gurindji country. Wave Hill bin our country. We want this land; we strike for that.”

In 1975, the Labor government of Gough Whitlam negotiatiated with Vesteys to give the Gurindji back a portion of their land. This was a breakthrough in the land rights movement in Australia.

“I want this to acknowledge that we Australians have still much to do to redress the injustice and oppression that has for so long been the lot of Black Australians.”

The handback took place on 16 August 1975 with Whitlams speach and the famous gesture of pouring sand into Vincent’s Lingiari’s hand.

Day 345

Day 345: 10.30am

Day 345: 11.30am

Just got giving a possuim skin to wear to Canberra from the elder’s of Mittagong town. It look beautiful, amazing an it a honour to wear it. They giving it to me to wear it until I finish the walk off and I when I finish the walk i we’ll give it back to the elder’s in Mittagong. Thank you guys so much for this.

Day 345

Our start to the day to our lunch break in Appin. 22nd. – Noonie

Day 345: 12.30pm

[Admin Toby] Update: Clinton is approaching Mittagong today. 👣🐾

One of the buses will shuttle people from Campbelltown between where he is, and each camp site for the night. ⛺️

And the rules on the bus go round and round 😀🚌🎶 Pick up’s are along the main road only. No drugs or drinking – elders and children are priority 👍

Day 345: 12.30pm

[Admin Luke] Hey all, Admin Luke with a quick reminder that we’re still trying to raise enough funds to cover the cost of bringing the Admin Team and Uncle Noel over to join Clinton in Canberra!

We’ve almost made it all the way to our goal, just $1460 to go!!

That said, we’re also considering adding an extra $500 to help bring Clinton’s lady across to join us too..

When you got little supporter and kids who look up to you as a hero to them. Also on top dress up like you and going to walk with you when you walk into Canberra. How cute is this little man. Thank you Danielle M Baxter for sending me this picture of your boy.

Day 435

Our day on the 22nd of August, another enjoyable day in paradise. – Noonie